Router Controversy

A legislative audit says West Virginia officials misspent millions in federal stimulus dollars buying routers for schools, libraries and other public offices.

The routers resemble one installed last year in Wood County Schools, and which serves Parkersburg South High School and the nearby Wood County Technical Center.

The school system's I.T. manager says it replaced an internet system that, at the time, was nearly a decade old.

"Our networks continue to grow only on a daily and monthly basis, so it's difficult to say what an improvement it has made," says Technology Director Bob Matthews. "But it replaced a router that was 10 years old, and probably nearing the end of its life."

Both Matthews and the head of the Wood County library system, which has had similar routers installed, said they're working fine.

Library director brian raitz, however, referred other questions to the state library board.

The audit report says the state could have saved millions by buying smaller capacity routers.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.